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Some Copy my business name but changed the number

I dont know if this is breaking the law but. A person copy my business info and put in on free listing. Such as merchantcircle and some other sites. Evey thing the same but with therephone number. Here the fake #386.269.3664 all the sites have the same #.

They will be getting a phone call tomorrow.

I am upset, but I had to laugh cause my listing is on some of the same sites with lower ranking. That was a extra kick in the teeth.

How would you guys handle this?

Last edited by scottwash; 08-17-2010 at 09:04 PM.
Reason: Someone copy my business name but changed it to there number

That is an interesting one...
That might be worth contacting a lawyer for, although the dark ally bid sounds like more fun (perhaps a back up).
Has anyone trademarked their logo and such? I just had one created for our next phase of growth, and I never thought of needing any legal protection, but this sounds like a pretty good reason to have it.

This is what they have for info
My business name and my address. They even have a review that got 5stars. They copied it from another site and other things they copied and pasted. emial merchantcircle they said 10 to 15days before there would fix it.

They have no e-mail or my web site. Just there phone #
Has anyone have this happen before?

Here is how Google sees duplicate or stolen content.
Whoever had it first gets placed first in the search results!
Google can tell the age of the content, so no real need to worry. I get copied all the time because many of my sites are so highly ranked. They think if they copy me, they will get a high ranking too Once, I did go all the way legally with a local Tampa Guy who copied me. Big Mistake! My intelligence sources found out it was a dope fiend living in a weekly trailer park after I spent thousands to sue him, etc, etc.

Yeah Chris, that's the trouble. Most that do this likely have no assets to sue for... It's all about protecting your name. It sounds like your guy had bigger legal issues to worry about, but it might be worth seeking criminal charges in a case like this. Don't expect to recover damages, just limit them.

I had a company called Carwashguys post a list of their customers, and a bunch of them were mine. I called them out. My customers sent out a cease and desist, and it all did nothing. They guy got taken to court by the FTC for Franchise problems. He lost, but did not get fined, because he hid his money or had none, and then he declared victory. All told, he took a bunch of franchisees, none of whom are in business, that I know of, for $20 million dollars, or so. Old Lance was a true piece of work.

I had a company called Carwashguys post a list of their customers, and a bunch of them were mine. I called them out. My customers sent out a cease and desist, and it all did nothing. They guy got taken to court by the FTC for Franchise problems. He lost, but did not get fined, because he hid his money or had none, and then he declared victory. All told, he took a bunch of franchisees, none of whom are in business, that I know of, for $20 million dollars, or so. Old Lance was a true piece of work.

I called the number today. Some lady answered the phone and said no pw, just AZ roofing. Called again few times on another phone just a busy single.

I email merchantcircle live support. They told me that they copy 10,000 business and put them on there site. They dont check if its the right number or not. Anyone can go and claim a business and change what ever they want. Also told me sometimes a competer will go in and change to the wrong phone #
.
Put the number on the google search and 4 diffent sites have my info and with her phone # I know what I will be doing to night online and trying to change this stuff.

I am letting this one go. I will try to fix it to the right # on the web. If its not this its a low baller, hack or a pw following me around. I have my shield up and the flaming arrows are bouncing off. Well for right now.

I know I said this before but I have to tell you guys again.
My son work with me today doing a vinyl siding the time before that was when I first started pw. (During that time He left me and was working as a eletrican). It was a easy job small house and we were done in 20min.
What he said was " Dad I guess it paid off you going on PWI cause do you rember when we brush that house when you first started pressure cleaing." It was a while ago but I wouldnt forget that job. Anyway I have learned alot form PWI and many other people helping me along the way. I havent arrive by any means. But jobs are much easier, faster, and now bigger. Thank you

I am letting this one go. I will try to fix it to the right # on the web. If its not this its a low baller, hack or a pw following me around. I have my shield up and the flaming arrows are bouncing off. Well for right now.

I know I said this before but I have to tell you guys again.
My son work with me today doing a vinyl siding the time before that was when I first started pw. (During that time He left me and was working as a eletrican). It was a easy job small house and we were done in 20min.
What he said was " Dad I guess it paid off you going on PWI cause do you rember when we brush that house when you first started pressure cleaing." It was a while ago but I wouldnt forget that job. Anyway I have learned alot form PWI and many other people helping me along the way. I havent arrive by any means. But jobs are much easier, faster, and now bigger. Thank you